Most techniques for assembling nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes rely on chemical reactions in aqueous solutions. This greatly limits the types of nanoparticles which can be assembled as well as precluding combinations of multiple types of nanoparticles. Wet chemistry methods are material dependent; each type of particle requires a different chemistry which drives the cost and complexity of manufacturing these materials. Some particles simply can’t be assembled using these techniques if the appropriate chemical pathways cannot be designed. Aqueous methods for assembling nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes are also slow, sometimes requiring many days to complete. They may cause the nanotubes to clump together making them less suitable for particular applications. Furthermore, aqueous techniques cannot be used for vertically-aligned carbon nanotubes. This aerosol technique operates in the gas phase at ambient pressure and uses electrostatic forces to assemble nanoparticles onto carbon nanotubes. It is suitable for a wide variety of particles (not limited by specific chemical reactions) and can also be used to assemble multiple types of nanoparticles together in a single assembly of carbon nanotubes. The simplicity of this technique can speed production of these materials and significantly lower production costs. Unlike chemical processes which can degrade the electron transport properties of carbon nanotubes, this process does not alter the underlying material properties.

File Number: OTT 1085 

Other Information: Dr. Junhong Chen is Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His research areas include nanoparticle synthesis, assembly and nanofabrication as well as application of these structures to gas sensors, biosensors and advanced energy conversion devices.